diff --git a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/base.rb b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/base.rb
index ae643591f..36fb5b903 100644
--- a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/base.rb
+++ b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/base.rb
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
         GALAXY_COMMAND_DEFAULT = "ansible-galaxy install --role-file=%{role_file} --roles-path=%{roles_path} --force".freeze
         PLAYBOOK_COMMAND_DEFAULT = "ansible-playbook".freeze
 
+        attr_accessor :config_file
         attr_accessor :extra_vars
         attr_accessor :galaxy_role_file
         attr_accessor :galaxy_roles_path
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
         attr_accessor :verbose
 
         def initialize
+          @config_file         = UNSET_VALUE
           @extra_vars          = UNSET_VALUE
           @galaxy_role_file    = UNSET_VALUE
           @galaxy_roles_path   = UNSET_VALUE
@@ -47,6 +49,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
         end
 
         def finalize!
+          @config_file         = nil                      if @config_file         == UNSET_VALUE
           @extra_vars          = nil                      if @extra_vars          == UNSET_VALUE
           @galaxy_role_file    = nil                      if @galaxy_role_file    == UNSET_VALUE
           @galaxy_roles_path   = nil                      if @galaxy_roles_path   == UNSET_VALUE
diff --git a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/base.rb b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/base.rb
index ed020b618..8e52d751f 100644
--- a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/base.rb
+++ b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/base.rb
@@ -29,20 +29,39 @@ module VagrantPlugins
           check_path_is_a_file(config.playbook, :playbook)
 
           check_path_exists(config.inventory_path, :inventory_path) if config.inventory_path
+          check_path_is_a_file(config.config_file, :config_file) if config.config_file
           check_path_is_a_file(config.extra_vars[1..-1], :extra_vars) if has_an_extra_vars_file_argument
           check_path_is_a_file(config.galaxy_role_file, :galaxy_role_file) if config.galaxy_role_file
           check_path_is_a_file(config.vault_password_file, :vault_password_file) if config.vault_password_file
         end
 
-        def ansible_playbook_command_for_shell_execution
-          shell_command = []
+        def get_environment_variables_for_shell_execution
+          shell_env_vars = []
           @environment_variables.each_pair do |k, v|
-            if k =~ /ANSIBLE_SSH_ARGS|ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH/
-              shell_command << "#{k}='#{v}'"
+            if k =~ /ANSIBLE_SSH_ARGS|ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH|ANSIBLE_CONFIG/
+              shell_env_vars << "#{k}='#{v}'"
             else
-              shell_command << "#{k}=#{v}"
+              shell_env_vars << "#{k}=#{v}"
             end
           end
+          shell_env_vars
+        end
+
+        def ansible_galaxy_command_for_shell_execution
+          command_values = {
+            role_file: "'#{get_galaxy_role_file}'",
+            roles_path: "'#{get_galaxy_roles_path}'"
+          }
+
+          shell_command = get_environment_variables_for_shell_execution
+
+          shell_command << config.galaxy_command % command_values
+
+          shell_command.flatten.join(' ')
+        end
+
+        def ansible_playbook_command_for_shell_execution
+          shell_command = get_environment_variables_for_shell_execution
 
           shell_command << config.playbook_command
 
@@ -102,6 +121,12 @@ module VagrantPlugins
           # Use ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH to tell ansible-playbook where to look for roles
           # (there is no equivalent command line argument in ansible-playbook)
           @environment_variables["ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH"] = get_galaxy_roles_path if config.galaxy_roles_path
+
+          prepare_ansible_config_environment_variable
+        end
+
+        def prepare_ansible_config_environment_variable
+          @environment_variables["ANSIBLE_CONFIG"] = config.config_file if config.config_file
         end
 
         # Auto-generate "safe" inventory file based on Vagrantfile,
diff --git a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/guest.rb b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/guest.rb
index 2cdbe3004..ef4287650 100644
--- a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/guest.rb
+++ b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/guest.rb
@@ -72,14 +72,9 @@ module VagrantPlugins
         end
 
         def execute_ansible_galaxy_on_guest
-          command_values = {
-            role_file: "'#{get_galaxy_role_file}'",
-            roles_path: "'#{get_galaxy_roles_path}'"
-          }
+          prepare_ansible_config_environment_variable
 
-          remote_command = config.galaxy_command % command_values
-
-          execute_ansible_command_on_guest "galaxy", remote_command
+          execute_ansible_command_on_guest "galaxy", ansible_galaxy_command_for_shell_execution
         end
 
         def execute_ansible_playbook_on_guest
diff --git a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/host.rb b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/host.rb
index 697ad51a8..e0fc70f0b 100644
--- a/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/host.rb
+++ b/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner/host.rb
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
 
           check_files_existence
           warn_for_unsupported_platform
+
           execute_ansible_galaxy_from_host if config.galaxy_role_file
           execute_ansible_playbook_from_host
         end
@@ -88,6 +89,8 @@ module VagrantPlugins
         end
 
         def execute_ansible_galaxy_from_host
+          prepare_ansible_config_environment_variable
+
           command_values = {
             role_file: get_galaxy_role_file,
             roles_path: get_galaxy_roles_path
@@ -97,20 +100,20 @@ module VagrantPlugins
 
           command = str_command.split(VAGRANT_ARG_SEPARATOR)
           command << {
+            env: @environment_variables,
             # Write stdout and stderr data, since it's the regular Ansible output
             notify: [:stdout, :stderr],
             workdir: @machine.env.root_path.to_s
           }
 
-          # FIXME: role_file and roles_path arguments should be quoted in the console output
-          ui_running_ansible_command "galaxy", str_command.gsub(VAGRANT_ARG_SEPARATOR, ' ')
+          ui_running_ansible_command "galaxy", ansible_galaxy_command_for_shell_execution
 
           execute_command_from_host command
         end
 
         def execute_ansible_playbook_from_host
-          prepare_command_arguments
           prepare_environment_variables
+          prepare_command_arguments
 
           # Assemble the full ansible-playbook command
           command = [config.playbook_command] << @command_arguments
@@ -234,6 +237,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
             proxy_cmd += " exec nc %h %p 2>/dev/null"
 
             ssh_options << "-o ProxyCommand='#{ proxy_cmd }'"
+            # TODO ssh_options << "-o ProxyCommand=\"#{ proxy_cmd }\""
           end
 
           # Use an SSH ProxyCommand when corresponding Vagrant setting is defined
diff --git a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/guest_test.rb b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/guest_test.rb
index 1249bd834..a2b44a57b 100644
--- a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/guest_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/guest_test.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ describe VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Config::Guest do
   let(:existing_file) { "this/path/is/a/stub" }
 
   it "supports a list of options" do
-    supported_options = %w( extra_vars
+    supported_options = %w( config_file
+                            extra_vars
                             galaxy_command
                             galaxy_role_file
                             galaxy_roles_path
diff --git a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/host_test.rb b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/host_test.rb
index 6730ff0bc..e8d7bc27a 100644
--- a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/host_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/host_test.rb
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ describe VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Config::Host, :skip_windows => true do
   it "supports a list of options" do
     supported_options = %w( ask_sudo_pass
                             ask_vault_pass
+                            config_file
                             extra_vars
                             force_remote_user
                             galaxy_command
diff --git a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/shared.rb b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/shared.rb
index c59a31a94..92b2e0d90 100644
--- a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/shared.rb
+++ b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/config/shared.rb
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ shared_examples_for 'options shared by both Ansible provisioners' do
   it "assigns default values to unset common options" do
     subject.finalize!
 
+    expect(subject.config_file).to be_nil
     expect(subject.extra_vars).to be_nil
     expect(subject.galaxy_command).to eql("ansible-galaxy install --role-file=%{role_file} --roles-path=%{roles_path} --force")
     expect(subject.galaxy_role_file).to be_nil
diff --git a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner_test.rb b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner_test.rb
index 64d58d341..db562201d 100644
--- a/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/plugins/provisioners/ansible/provisioner_test.rb
@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@ VF
     stubbed_ui.stub(detail: "")
     machine.env.stub(ui: stubbed_ui)
 
-    subject.stub(:check_path)
-
     config.playbook = 'playbook.yml'
   end
 
@@ -195,7 +193,9 @@ VF
     before do
       unless example.metadata[:skip_before]
         config.finalize!
+
         Vagrant::Util::Subprocess.stub(execute: Vagrant::Util::Subprocess::Result.new(0, "", ""))
+        subject.stub(:check_path)
       end
     end
 
@@ -207,44 +207,46 @@ VF
 
     describe 'checking existence of Ansible configuration files' do
 
-      describe 'when the playbook file does not exist' do
-        it "raises an error", skip_before: true, skip_after: true do
+      STUBBED_INVALID_PATH = "/test/239nfmd/invalid_path".freeze
 
-          subject.stub(:check_path).and_raise(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleError,
-            _key: :config_file_not_found,
-            config_option: "playbook",
-            path: "/home/wip/test/invalid_path.yml",
-            system: "host")
+      it 'raises an error when the `playbook` file does not exist', skip_before: true, skip_after: true do
+        subject.stub(:check_path).and_raise(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleError,
+          _key: :config_file_not_found,
+          config_option: "playbook",
+          path: STUBBED_INVALID_PATH,
+          system: "host")
 
-          config.playbook = "/home/wip/test/invalid_path.yml"
-          config.finalize!
+        config.playbook = STUBBED_INVALID_PATH
+        config.finalize!
 
-          expect {subject.provision}.to raise_error(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleError,
-            "`playbook` does not exist on the host: /home/wip/test/invalid_path.yml")
+        expect {subject.provision}.to raise_error(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleError,
+          "`playbook` does not exist on the host: #{STUBBED_INVALID_PATH}")
+      end
+
+      %w(config_file extra_vars inventory_path galaxy_role_file vault_password_file).each do |option_name|
+        it "raises an error when the '#{option_name}' does not exist", skip_before: true, skip_after: true do
+            Vagrant::Util::Subprocess.stub(execute: Vagrant::Util::Subprocess::Result.new(0, "", ""))
+
+            config.playbook = existing_file
+            config.send(option_name + '=', STUBBED_INVALID_PATH)
+            if option_name == 'extra_vars'
+              # little trick to auto-append the '@' prefix, which is a duty of the config validator...
+              config.validate(machine)
+            end
+            config.finalize!
+
+            expect {subject.provision}.to raise_error(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleError,
+              "`#{option_name}` does not exist on the host: #{STUBBED_INVALID_PATH}")
         end
       end
 
-      describe 'when the inventory path does not exist' do
-        it "raises an error"
-      end
-
-      describe 'when the extra_vars file does not exist' do
-        it "raises an error"
-      end
-
-      describe 'when the galaxy_role_file does not exist' do
-        it "raises an error"
-      end
-
-      describe 'when the vault_password_file does not exist' do
-        it "raises an error"
-      end
-
     end
 
     describe 'when ansible-playbook fails' do
       it "raises an error", skip_before: true, skip_after: true do
         config.finalize!
+
+        subject.stub(:check_path)
         Vagrant::Util::Subprocess.stub(execute: Vagrant::Util::Subprocess::Result.new(1, "", ""))
 
         expect {subject.provision}.to raise_error(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleCommandFailed)
@@ -582,6 +584,20 @@ VF
       end
     end
 
+    context "with config_file option defined" do
+      before do
+        config.config_file = existing_file
+      end
+
+      it "sets ANSIBLE_CONFIG environment variable" do
+        expect(Vagrant::Util::Subprocess).to receive(:execute).with { |*args|
+          cmd_opts = args.last
+          expect(cmd_opts[:env]).to include("ANSIBLE_CONFIG")
+          expect(cmd_opts[:env]['ANSIBLE_CONFIG']).to eql(existing_file)
+        }
+      end
+    end
+
     describe "with ask_vault_pass option" do
       before do
         config.ask_vault_pass = true
@@ -777,6 +793,8 @@ VF
 
       it "raises an error when ansible-galaxy command fails", skip_before: true, skip_after: true do
         config.finalize!
+
+        subject.stub(:check_path)
         Vagrant::Util::Subprocess.stub(execute: Vagrant::Util::Subprocess::Result.new(1, "", ""))
 
         expect {subject.provision}.to raise_error(VagrantPlugins::Ansible::Errors::AnsibleCommandFailed)
@@ -852,11 +870,12 @@ VF
         config.raw_arguments = ["--why-not", "--su-user=foot", "--ask-su-pass", "--limit=all", "--private-key=./myself.key", "--extra-vars='{\"var3\":\"foo\"}'"]
 
         # environment variables
+        config.config_file = existing_file
         config.host_key_checking = true
         config.raw_ssh_args = ['-o ControlMaster=no']
       end
 
-      it_should_set_arguments_and_environment_variables 21, 5, true
+      it_should_set_arguments_and_environment_variables 21, 6, true
       it_should_explicitly_enable_ansible_ssh_control_persist_defaults
       it_should_set_optional_arguments({  "extra_vars"          => "--extra-vars={\"var1\":\"string with 'apostrophes', \\\\, \\\" and =\",\"var2\":{\"x\":42}}",
                                           "sudo"                => "--sudo",
@@ -883,7 +902,7 @@ VF
 
       it "shows the ansible-playbook command, with additional quotes when required" do
         expect(machine.env.ui).to receive(:detail).with { |full_command|
-          expect(full_command).to eq(%Q(PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1 ANSIBLE_FORCE_COLOR=true ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH='/up/to the stars' ANSIBLE_HOST_KEY_CHECKING=true ANSIBLE_SSH_ARGS='-o IdentitiesOnly=yes -i '/my/key1' -i '/my/key2' -o ForwardAgent=yes -o ControlMaster=no -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s' ansible-playbook --connection=ssh --timeout=30 --ask-sudo-pass --ask-vault-pass --limit="machine*:&vagrant:!that_one" --inventory-file=#{generated_inventory_dir} --extra-vars="{\\"var1\\":\\"string with 'apostrophes', \\\\\\\\, \\\\\\" and =\\",\\"var2\\":{\\"x\\":42}}" --sudo --sudo-user=deployer -vvv --vault-password-file=#{File.expand_path(__FILE__)} --tags=db,www --skip-tags=foo,bar --start-at-task="joe's awesome task" --why-not --su-user=foot --ask-su-pass --limit=all --private-key=./myself.key --extra-vars='{\"var3\":\"foo\"}' playbook.yml))
+          expect(full_command).to eq(%Q(PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1 ANSIBLE_FORCE_COLOR=true ANSIBLE_ROLES_PATH='/up/to the stars' ANSIBLE_CONFIG='#{existing_file}' ANSIBLE_HOST_KEY_CHECKING=true ANSIBLE_SSH_ARGS='-o IdentitiesOnly=yes -i '/my/key1' -i '/my/key2' -o ForwardAgent=yes -o ControlMaster=no -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s' ansible-playbook --connection=ssh --timeout=30 --ask-sudo-pass --ask-vault-pass --limit="machine*:&vagrant:!that_one" --inventory-file=#{generated_inventory_dir} --extra-vars="{\\"var1\\":\\"string with 'apostrophes', \\\\\\\\, \\\\\\" and =\\",\\"var2\\":{\\"x\\":42}}" --sudo --sudo-user=deployer -vvv --vault-password-file=#{existing_file} --tags=db,www --skip-tags=foo,bar --start-at-task="joe's awesome task" --why-not --su-user=foot --ask-su-pass --limit=all --private-key=./myself.key --extra-vars='{\"var3\":\"foo\"}' playbook.yml))
         }
       end
     end
diff --git a/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_common.html.md b/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_common.html.md
index d76d6cfa0..2ed3b4e72 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_common.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_common.html.md
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ These options get passed to the `ansible-playbook` command that ships with Ansib
 
 Some of these options are for advanced usage only and should not be used unless you understand their purpose.
 
+- `config_file` (string) - The path to an [Ansible Configuration file](https://docs.ansible.com/intro_configuration.html).
+
+    By default, this option is not set, and Ansible will [search for a possible configuration file in some default locations](/docs/provisioning/ansible_intro.html#ANSIBLE_CONFIG).
+
 - `extra_vars` (string or hash) - Pass additional variables (with highest priority) to the playbook.
 
     This parameter can be a path to a JSON or YAML file, or a hash.
diff --git a/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_intro.html.md b/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_intro.html.md
index de9c07697..be3ef1ec0 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_intro.html.md
+++ b/website/source/docs/provisioning/ansible_intro.html.md
@@ -246,12 +246,11 @@ Certain settings in Ansible are (only) adjustable via a [configuration file](htt
 
 When shipping an Ansible configuration file it is good to know that:
 
- - it is possible to reference an Ansible configuration file via `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable, if you want to be flexible about the location of this file.
- - as of Ansible 1.5, the lookup order is the following:
-
-   - `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` an environment variable
-   - `ansible.cfg` in the runtime working directory
-   - `.ansible.cfg` in the user home directory
-   - `/etc/ansible/ansible.cfg`
-
- - `ansible-playbook` doesn't look for a configuration file relative to the playbook file location (e.g. in the same directory)
+  - as of Ansible 1.5, the lookup order is the following:
+    - any path set as `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable
+    - `ansible.cfg` in the runtime working directory
+    - `.ansible.cfg` in the user home directory
+    - `/etc/ansible/ansible.cfg`
+  - Ansible commands don't look for a configuration file relative to the playbook file location (e.g. in the same directory)
+  - an `ansible.cfg` file located in the same directory as your `Vagrantfile` will be used by default.
+  - it is also possible to reference any other location with the [config_file](/docs/provisioning/ansible_common.html#config_file) provisioner option. In this case, Vagrant will set the `ANSIBLE_CONFIG` environment variable accordingly.